EBRSO using social media to solve crimes

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The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office says at least three crimes have been solved in the past week thanks to their online posting.

"The tips came in within minutes of us posting it on facebook," said EBRSO spokesperson Casey Hicks.

Last month, a couple accused of cloning credit cards were making purchases around Baton Rouge. A photo was posted to the EBRSO Facebook page and the woman's identity was revealed through tips.

Hicks said she get messages from people with the girls' name.

Earlier this week, deputies say two men went into a hotel room at the Hampton Inn & Suites off Reiger Road. They tied up two women and robbed them. Another tip from the Facebook page, identified the two men.

A couple of weeks ago, a man wanted accused of stealing a motorcycle from Friendly Yamaha Honda. The business shared the surveillance on Facebook. Monday night, the same person attempted to steal a television set from a business and a EBRSO deputy was able to catch him in the parking lot.

"It's a great way to get information out, it's a great way to just do community outreach," said Hicks. "But we're finding it's a great way to solve cases, too."

The sheriff's office is also using social media to spread awareness about a phone scam going on in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes.

The EBRSO Facebook page has almost 5,000 followers. Hicks says the sheriff's office is going to start having give-aways and rewards for their followers. Next week, deputies will take to Twitter for a virtual ride-along, reporting in real-time on their emergency calls.